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Savannah Brooks
Mrs. Corbett
AP Literature/ Composition
17 November 2011
Pediatric Leukemia
Since its discovery and diagnosis centuries ago, cancer has been an ever-present reminder
of the brevity of life. Cancer can affect anyone; it does not discriminate against race, sex, or age,
meaning even young children can be inflicted with this insidious disease. These pediatric
oncology patients most commonly battle the blood cancer, leukemia, and though the prognosis is
grim, current research efforts have brightened the outlook.
Sadly, leukemia and other types of cancer are daunting ubiquities in today’s society. In
fact, they account for the “second leading cause of death after accidents in children from ages
one to fourteen” (“Childhood Leukemia”). Though contracting this disease is atypical, it still
ranks as a prevalent impetus in childhood mortality. This highlights the frightening notion that a
possible hazard to children’s well-being lies outside the control of their parents. “Leukemia is the
most frequent diagnosis for pediatric patients, accounting for about 1 out of 3 cancers in
children” (“Childhood Leukemia”). This is a progressive, degenerative disease that spreads
throughout the body. It entails the metastasis of cancerous cells through blood streams. It impacts
virtually every aspect of a child’s life.
Affected children can show signs of weakness, fatigue, and extreme nausea almost at
onset. “Leukemia is a form of cancer in which the body creates abnormal, malignant white blood
cells” (“Leukemias, Chronic”). Infected blood cells reproduce uncontrollably and can no longer
regulate apoptosis, or programmed cellular death. This disease proves detrimental to a patient’s

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health as leukocytes are essential to the normal functioning of the body’s immune system.
“Abnormal white blood cells develop from stem cells in the patient’s bone marrow” (“What is
Leukemia?”). Once these cells have developed, they disperse through blood vessels and circulate
throughout the body’s circulatory and cardiovascular systems. As their numbers grow, these
cancerous leukocytes begin crowding the healthy white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets,
leading to difficulties in normal functioning. This phenomenon wreaks havoc on the small bodies
of pediatric patients.
Oncologists categorize leukemia into two types based on the speed of progression.
Included in this are chronic leukemia and acute leukemia. “Chronic leukemia develops slowly,
deriving from abnormalities in mature blood cells” (“Differences Between Acute and Chronic
Leukemia”). In its early stages, white blood cells can still function somewhat normally, though
much less productively. As the disease progresses, these atypical leukocytes begin crowding
blood vessels, gradually hindering the production of healthy blood cells. Due to its slow
advancement, patients often times will show no symptoms until the later phases of the disease.
“Acute leukemia, however, differs greatly from the former as this type develops and grows
rapidly” (“Leukemias, Acute”). This kind results from abnormalities in undeveloped blood cells,
preventing normal functioning. These leukemia cells multiply quickly and the disease worsens
rapidly. Prognosis is usually determined earlier than in the initial stages of chronic leukemia and
immediate action is necessary.
Furthermore, these broad categories are commonly dissected into four sub-genres upon
diagnosis. “This includes acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), acute myelogenous leukemia
(AML), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)”
(“Leukemia (cont.)”). Chronic lymphocytic leukemia affects lymph cells. Here lymphocyte B

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cells, which produce antibodies to signal the destruction of bacteria and viruses, and lymphocyte
T cells, which recognize the signals of the antibodies and produce chemicals to destroy the
infiltrators, live much longer than normal cells and, therefore, begin to multiply, crowding the
other blood cells. This disease progresses slowly and is most commonly seen in adult
populations. Chronic myeloid leukemia is the uncontrolled growth of granulocytes, a type of
leukocyte and is usually uncommon in children. The bone marrow gradually produces too many
of these cells which then ground the vessels and hinder the cells’ normal ability to fight
infections. This disease is directly linked to abnormalities in genes. Most patients diagnosed with
this disease also have a chromosomal rearrangement where chromosome nine and twenty two
become attached and exchange genetic material. This results in the inability to control cellular
growth in the affected person. The typical forms of leukemia seen in adolescents and children are
the acute diseases. One of the most serious types is acute myelogenous leukemia. This too results
from the overproduction of granulocytes; however, since it is acute, these cells cannot mature
correctly. AML rapidly causes cellular overcrowding. Children with genetic disorders, such as
Down syndrome, have a higher risk for developing this kind. Acute lymphocytic leukemia,
singly, accounts for the highest number of childhood leukemias. This is similar to chronic
lymphocytic leukemia in that it too affects lymphocyte cells; however, it overproduces cells
which cannot mature properly as opposed to older cells as in CLL. This prevents blood cells
from working properly to ward off infection and can spread throughout the body in a matter of
weeks. Chromosomal abnormalities are a commonality among patients with this disease as well.
Though leukemia is an internal disease, physical signs and symptoms indicate the
existence of problems harbored beneath the surface. “These signals include anemia, frequent
hemorrhages, easy bruising, chronic infections, abdominal pains, dyspnea, bone and joint pain,

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and swollen lymph nodes” (“Leukemia”). Early signs of leukemia include anemia, excessive
bleeding, and easy bruising because increased quantities of white blood cells cause crowding in
the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced, hindering the production of adequate amounts
of red blood cells, leading to anemia, and platelets, causing excessive bleeding and bruising.
Recurrent infections are also commonly associated with leukemia because although white blood
cell counts are abnormally high, these blood cells themselves are atypical and, therefore, do not
function properly in fighting viral or bacterial contaminants. Abdominal pains, inflamed lymph
nodes, and labored breathing as leukocytes can collect in the abdomen, causing swelling the
kidney, liver, and spleen, and in lymph nodes and the thymus causing swelling and difficulty
breathing, respectively. Though these signs and symptoms indicate the presence of leukemia, the
formal diagnosis of this disease occurs following medical tests. “These diagnostic procedures
include bone marrow biopsies, lymph node biopsies, lumbar punctures, and blood tests”
(“Leukemia”). With both bone marrow and lymph node biopsies, a small portion of matter is
removed from the specified area. These extractions are then examined, looking for any
abnormalities in cell growth and quantity. Spinal fluid is removed in a lumbar puncture and
tested to determine the patient’s underlying problems. Also, simple blood work is an adequate
determinant of the illness. In these tests, the patient’s blood is drawn so doctors can evaluate the
cellular makeup of the fluid and any possible irregularities.
Such evaluations begin the process of designing a plan for therapy. Treatments vary
based on the type of leukemia, its stage upon diagnosis, and the patient’s age. “Common
treatments for leukemia include chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant, and radiation therapy”
(“Leukemia Diagnosis”). The first treatment method calls for patients to ingest or inject strong
drug cocktails into their bodies, killing the cancerous blood cells that have spread throughout

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their blood systems. This is the most effective form of treatment for leukemia and a doctor’s
usual preference when treating this disease. Radiation therapy is also sometimes utilized in
treatment plans. Most often this is effective in destroying cancerous cells that have accumulated
in an area of the body. Here oncologists use energized beams and rays, damaging leukemia cells
and hindering their continued growth. Bone marrow transplants are usually the final stage of
treatment, following rounds of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. After a patient is matched
with a donor, doctors replace his diseased bone marrow without that of healthy donor marrow.
With this, the body will begin to produce normal blood cells. Recently the growing field of
biomedical engineering has enabled alternative treatment plans for leukemia. “Such innovative
techniques comprise of biological therapy and targeted therapy” (“Treatments and Drugs”).
Biological therapy utilizes a patient’s own immune system, aiding in the recognition, flagging,
and destruction of cancerous cells. The latter novel treatment entails the utilization of drugs
designed only to target weaknesses in the cancer cells, leaving normal functioning cells
unharmed. These drugs could range from protein inhibitors to apoptosis-inducing medications.
Such attempts are, at best, beneficial, but rarely lead to long-term success.
Unfortunately there is no cure for cancer. Though many effective treatments do exist, this
does not guarantee that they can rid the body entirely of cancer or prevent it from coming back in
the future. “After treatment begins, the primary goal is to be able to say the affected child is in
remission” (Miller). A patient in remission no longer shows evidence of cancerous cells in his
body. This means that they no longer must go through the intensive chemotherapy and radiation
treatments before which caused hair loss and severe nausea. However, since cancer is not
completely remediable, maintenance chemotherapy is often suggested. This is administered in
small cycles over a few years in the hopes of preventing the recurrence of the disease. In spite of

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these precautions, sometimes the cancer will return and further measures must be taken to once
again battle the disease. Though this gloomy cloud still lurks overhead, the outlook for most
pediatric oncology patients is relatively bright. “Some forms of leukemia have a remission rate
of up to 90%” (Miller). This extraordinarily high success rate is a direct indication of his
response to treatment, overall health, and genetics. If the cancer is caught in its early stages and
the child receives proper medical care, he can most likely go on to live a long, joyous life. While
this disease should not be taken lightly, diagnosis is not a death sentence.
Cancer touches everyone’s lives in some fashion. It is destructive and unforgiving,
shattering families and stealing away loved ones. Pediatric cancer, especially the diabolic
leukemia, is a particularly troublesome conundrum for modern medicine. Yet as advancements in
prescription therapies progress, virulent fundraising continues, and brave children continue to
fight, the odds are improving. One day, this sinister disease will be a distant memory.

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Works Cited
Cherath, Lata. “Leukemias, Acute.” The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Ed. Deirdre S. Blanchfield and
Jacqueline L. Longe. 2nd ed. Vol. 3. Detroit: Gale, 2002. 1986-90. Gale Virtual Reference Library.
Web. 1 Nov. 2011.
- - -. “Leukemias, Chronic.” The Gale Encyclopedia of Mediciine. Ed. Deirdre S. Blanchfield and Jacqueline
L. Longe. 2nd ed. Vol. 3. Detroit: Gale, 2002. 1990-93. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 5
Nov. 2011.
“Childhood Leukemia.” American Cancer Society. American Cancer Society, Inc., 2011. Web. 21 June
2011. <http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/LeukemiainChildren/DetailedGuide/childhood-leukemia-
key-statistics>.
“Difference Between Acute and Chronic Leukemia.” DifferenceBetween.net. N.p., 2011. Web. 6 Nov.
2011. <http://www.differencebetween.net/science/health/difference-between-acute-and-
chronic-leukemia/>.
“Leukemia.” Pediatric Leukemia. Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, 2011. Web. 1 Nov. 2011.
<http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/oncology/leukemia.html>.
“Leukemia (cont.).” MedicineNet.com. MedicineNet, Inc., 2011. Web. 9 Nov. 2011.
<http://www.medicinenet.com/leukemia/page3.htm>.
“Leukemia Diagnosis.” Cancer Treatment Centers of America. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2011.
<http://www.cancercenter.com/leukemia/leukemia-diagnosis.cfm>.
Miller, Robin E. “Leukemia.” Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth,
2010. Web. 2 Nov. 2011. <http://www.choa.org/child-health-glossary/l/le/leukemia>.
“Treatments and Drugs.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2011.
Web. 8 Nov. 2011. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/leukemia/DS00351/
DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs>.

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“What Is Leukemia?” National Cancer Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Nov. 2011. <http://www.cancer.gov/
cancertopics/wyntk/leukemia/page2>.